ISLAMABAD:
The three-day showcase “Creative Expressions” at City School Capital Campus bloomed to full swing at the sports day. Students from Class III right up to O-level exhibited their talents through one-of-its-kind gala featuring repelling, bungee jumping, camping and Shotokan karate.
The school grounds were adorned with chalk to form an aerial view of a huge butterfly and third graders in white tracksuits performed physical routines to the sound of drums, flashing vibrant red and yellow pompoms. Small tents and balloons added a campy feeling to the exhibit.
Next up, the karate kids demonstrated kicks, elbow strikes, the open-handed technique knife-hands and vital point strikes. A black-belt instructor chaperoned the team, interjecting abrupt karate jargon during the performance.
“We believe in well-rounded education; developing personality through harnessing talent and skills. That’s why we have these societies and clubs. In the showcase, we wish to highlight the effort,” Shagun Irfan, the principal, told The Express Tribune.
Another side of the ground had kids shooting arrows through bows at archery boards. The principal said that the school hired well-qualified trainers (having received Pride of Performance awards) and sourced expensive equipment to ensure safety.
The most engaging activity doing the rounds was repelling -- a first for any school in the twin-city domain, according to the principal. Students descended the triple-storey building, suspended on ropes and hooks. One came down waving the Pakistani flag, another the school flag, while others sprinkled glitter particles and sprayed aerosols. The principal informed the audience that the repelling gear used German ropes and participants were allotted ropes depending on their weights.
Exhilarated by the sport, parents and teachers hooted, calling out names of the participants. Audible “oohs”, “aahs” and “zabardast” made for the enthused applause. Garnering inspiration from the younger lot, a parent volunteered to take the plunge. He slid down the ropes fearlessly.
“It felt like a great adventure,” he told The Express Tribune, with a grin on his face.
Starting out at the Oxford University back in 1979, the famous bungee jumping was carried out with prowess and agility at the event. The activity typically involves a single rope fastened at towering heights, but the school chose to harness the jumpers with two ropes for safety. Boys and girls dipped into air with ropes balancing them on both sides.
“It’s a courageous feat, especially for girls, as usually there aren’t such outlets available to them,” remarked Vice Principal Muhammad Saleem. Festive music could be heard amid the chatter of parents, teachers and students at the event.
The showcase concludes on Thursday with activities involving arts, science, computer projects, oratory and elocution in the line-up.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 17th, 2011.
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